Cost of Living in San Luis Obispo, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,285 (excluding rent), and $3,301 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,492 (excluding rent), and $6,631 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.13 $20.13

$15.1 $15.1

$50.3 $50.3

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.5 $79.5

$59.6 $59.6

$199 $199

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.7 $11.7

$10.18 $10.18

$14.25 $14.25

Cappuccino

$5.48 $5.48

$3.9 $3.9

$7.8 $7.8

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 $2.82

$2.04 $2.04

$5.11 $5.11

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.01 $2.01

$4.03 $4.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.92 $7.92

$5.94 $5.94

$9.89 $9.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.94 $7.94

$14.9 $14.9

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.91 $0.91

$2.09 $2.09

White Bread (500g)

$4.31 $4.31

$2.14 $2.14

$6.47 $6.47

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.32 $3.32

$2.26 $2.26

$5.64 $5.64

Eggs

$2.91 $2.91

$2.06 $2.06

$9.26 $9.26

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.71 $15.71

$13.47 $13.47

$33.66 $33.66

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.59 $10.59

$8.91 $8.91

$31.24 $31.24

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.43 $15.43

$44.14 $44.14

Apples (1kg)

$3.41 $3.41

$2.62 $2.62

$8.71 $8.71

Banana (1kg)

$1.89 $1.89

$1.47 $1.47

$6.57 $6.57

Oranges (1kg)

$3.19 $3.19

$8.56 $8.56

Tomato (1kg)

$3.36 $3.36

$2.22 $2.22

$11.22 $11.22

Potato (1kg)

$2.88 $2.88

$1.48 $1.48

$4.47 $4.47

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$1.91 $1.91

$10.76 $10.76

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.09 $2.09

$1.95 $1.95

$3.88 $3.88

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.94 $1.94

$0.73 $0.73

$3.4 $3.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.85 $10.85

$9.83 $9.83

$12.87 $12.87

Wine (Bottle)

$17.19 $17.19

$14.16 $14.16

$20.23 $20.23

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$1.72 $1.72

$2.98 $2.98

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.28 $3.28

$1.72 $1.72

$6.16 $6.16

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.89 $1.89

$1.76 $1.76

$2.01 $2.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$61.1 $61.1

$40.7 $40.7

$69.2 $69.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.44 $3.44

$14.72 $14.72

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.63 $1.63

$3.62 $3.62

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.09 $30.09

$25.07 $25.07

$65.2 $65.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 $1.29

$1.17 $1.17

$1.47 $1.47

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.6K $23.6K

$36.2K $36.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.6K $25.6K

$26.9K $26.9K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$255 $255

$150 $150

$599 $599

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$48.12 $48.12

$24.84 $24.84

$99.4 $99.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.9 $68.9

$50.6 $50.6

$106 $106

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$54.6 $54.6

$17.37 $17.37

$54.6 $54.6

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$50.7 $50.7

Cinema Ticket

$12.13 $12.13

$9.9 $9.9

$21.78 $21.78

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,959 $1,959

$1,495 $1,495

$2,590 $2,590

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$26.1K $26.1K

$18.1K $18.1K

$40.2K $40.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.8 $53.8

$30.38 $30.38

$99.2 $99.2

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.28 $44.28

$25.05 $25.05

$70.2 $70.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.8 $86.8

$49.31 $49.31

$148 $148

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 $108

$78.8 $78.8

$197 $197

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,928 $1,928

$2,790 $2,790

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,915 $1,915

$1,426 $1,426

$2,546 $2,546

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,546 $4,546

$3,914 $3,914

$5,649 $5,649

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,714 $3,714

$3,390 $3,390

$3,988 $3,988

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,273 $7,273

$6,324 $6,324

$10.1K $10.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,722 $6,722

$6,360 $6,360

$8,044 $8,044

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,099 $5,099

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.19

6.8

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 25, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in San Luis Obispo, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

San Luis Obispo sits at the higher end of the scale for daily living costs in a small city, but you gain a walkable core, safety, and quick access to beaches and mountains. When you compare it with larger metro areas, housing and dining can feel pricier, yet the overall pace is more relaxed and practical for everyday life. Cost of Living in San Luis Obispo, CA, United States is supported by solid services, reliable public transit, and neighborhoods that stay vibrant year round. To stretch your budget, consider shared housing, cooking at home, and biking to errands. Tip: Start with a short term stay to test neighborhoods and commuting options.

Daily life in San Luis Obispo centers on a walkable core with easy access to cafes, groceries, and the coast. Housing options range from compact downtown apartments to shared houses near campus, with longer commutes from hillside neighborhoods. Food options mix casual eateries with farmers markets and fresh seasonal produce you can cook at home. For getting around, biking and the local bus cover most needs, and many people work from coworking spaces or quiet cafes. Errands feel convenient when you choose a neighborhood within a short stroll of services. San Luis Obispo, CA, United States living cost shows up in choice of home and meals, not in hidden fees. Tip: test proximity to work, markets, and transit before committing.

Quality of life here blends climate, safety, and community. A simple budgeting framework helps you enjoy the outdoors without overspending: allocate housing first, then food and transport, and set aside a bit for leisure. Neighborhood fit matters: downtown offers compactness and nightlife, hillside areas give views and quieter streets, and near Cal Poly you get student energy without city crowds. Seasonal shifts influence activities more than the weather; summers stay sunny, winters are mild and occasionally wet, which affects outdoor plans and travel. Tip: build flexibility into your plan by trying different neighborhoods for a few weeks each season, and use local markets to keep food costs predictable.